Lakers' big men irked by new twist

Jan. 21, 2013

Updated 1:17 p.m.

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The Lakers Kobe Bryant (center) puts up a shot under pressure from Nazr Mohammed (right) of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on Monday in Chicago. The Bulls defeated the Lakers 95-83. Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images

The Lakers Kobe Bryant (center) puts up a shot under pressure from Nazr Mohammed (right) of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on Monday in Chicago. The Bulls defeated the Lakers 95-83. Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images

CHICAGO – The revolving Lakers' 2012-13 season spun off in the latest new direction Monday night with Pau Gasol being sent against his will to take on a bench role.

But is it evolving?

Dwight Howard came away disgruntled on a night when Gasol tried to keep his spirits up after Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni's decision to commit to Earl Clark as the new starting power forward. Clark's athleticism definitely added value again for the Lakers, but Howard's inactivity was the same drain it so often was early in the Lakers' poor season.

The Lakers lost to the Chicago Bulls, 95-83, and dropped to 17-24.

Howard was unhappy after getting just five field-goal attempts in the loss, rarely getting the ball early in the game.

"Look at the stat sheet," Howard said. "Look at the stat sheet."

Asked how he can get more shots, Howard said: "It's simple. Play inside-out."

Asked if it is out of his power, he said quietly: "Just continue to play. Not get frustrated. As hard as it is, can't get frustrated."

Asked if the inside-out offense could be a start to turning their record around, Howard said: "We've just got to play the right way. All I can tell you guys is we've got to keep believing. We can't lose faith in each other. It's tough."

Kobe Bryant wore tights on his legs on a sub-zero wind-chill night in Chicago, but he didn't heat up with his shot as he promised after his poor outing in Toronto on Sunday. After hounding Milwaukee point guard Brandon Jennings with his defense to much acclaim last Tuesday in a Lakers victory, Bryant has looked dead-legged on offense in three consecutive losses — shooting 32, 31 and 32 percent.

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